FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic smoking devices and in particular
to electronic cigarettes that comprise an integrated mouthpiece and capsule assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An electronic smoking device, such as an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), typically
has a housing accommodating an electric power source (e.g. a single use or rechargeable
battery, electrical plug, or other power source), and an electrically operable atomizer.
The atomizer vaporizes or atomizes liquid supplied from a reservoir and provides vaporized
or atomized liquid, as an aerosol. Control electronics control the activation of the
atomizer. In some electronic cigarettes, an airflow sensor is provided within the
electronic smoking device, which detects a user puffing on the device (e.g., by sensing
an under-pressure or an air flow pattern through the device). The airflow sensor indicates
or signals the puff to the control electronics to power up the device and generate
vapor. In other e-cigarettes, a switch is used to power up the e-cigarette to generate
a puff of vapor.
[0003] An electronic smoking device comprises a liquid reservoir, in the form of a capsule,
that includes a heating element which allows among others the easy replacement of
the liquid reservoir of smoked liquid. In capsules where the liquid reservoir and
the heating element are not coupled, since the size of the capsule is quite small,
its exchange and handling are difficult, especially for users with physical disabilities.
Further, the exchange of the capsule could require that the consumers remove first
the mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette in order to exchange the capsule. This
operation is cumbersome.
[0004] Therefore a need exists in the art for an electronic smoking device that allows for
easy handling of the device while exchanging the liquid reservoir.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic
smoking device comprising, comprising a mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion and an
atomizer/battery portion. The mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion comprises a mouthpiece,
the mouthpiece comprising a rigid outer housing, and a liquid reservoir. The atomizer/battery
portion comprises a battery, and an atomizer operable when connected to the battery
to atomize liquid stored in the liquid reservoir. The rigid outer housing includes
the liquid reservoir, and the mouthpiece is detachable from the atomizer/battery portion.
[0006] The characteristics, features and advantages of this invention and the manner in
which they are obtained as described above, will become more apparent and be more
clearly understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments,
which are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the drawings, same element numbers indicate same elements in each of the views:
Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an e-cigarette in accordance
with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of a mouthpiece/liquid reservoir
portion of the e-cigarette in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the atomizer/liquid reservoir of an electronic smoking
device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 4 to 7 illustrate various views of a capsule in accordance with the present
invention;
Figures 8 to 11 illustrate various view of a mouthpiece in accordance with the present
invention;
Figure 12 illustrates a mouthpiece in accordance with the present invention and a
capsule with counter element(s) that protrude from an outer lateral side of the liquid
reservoir or capsule;
Figures 13 and 14 illustrate cross section and full body perspective views of the
atomizer/liquid reservoir of an electronic smoking device in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention; and
Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a front view into the mouthpiece-capsule assembly in
accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0008] Throughout the following, an electronic smoking device will be exemplarily described
with reference to an e-cigarette. As is shown in Figure 1, an e-cigarette 10 has a
housing comprising a cylindrical hollow tube having an end cap 16. The cylindrical
hollow tube may be a single-piece or a multiple-piece tube. In Figure 1, the cylindrical
hollow tube is shown as a two-piece structure having a battery/atomizer portion 12
and a mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14. Together the battery/atomizer portion
12 and the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 form a cylindrical tube which can
be approximately the same size and shape as a conventional cigarette, typically about
100 mm with a 7.5 mm diameter, although lengths may range from 70 to 150 or 180 mm,
and diameters from 5 to 30 mm.
[0009] The battery/atomizer portion 12 and mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 are made
of metal, e.g. steel or aluminum, or of hardwearing plastic and act together with
the end cap 16 to provide a housing to contain the components of the e-cigarette 10.
The battery/atomizer portion 12 and the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 may
be configured to fit together by a friction push fit, a snap fit, or a bayonet attachment,
magnetic fit, or screw threads. The end cap 16 is provided at the front end of the
battery/atomizer portion 12. The end cap 16 may be made from translucent plastic or
other translucent material to allow an LED 20 positioned near the end cap to emit
light through the end cap. The end cap can be made of metal or other materials that
do not allow light to pass. In alternative presentations the e-cigarette does not
have a discrete end-cap, but the end-cap may be part of the main body. Further, in
alternative presentations the main body is not a continuous part but comprises a top
and bottom which are fixed together.
[0010] An air inlet may be provided in the end cap, at the edge of the inlet next to the
cylindrical hollow tube, anywhere along the length of the cylindrical hollow tube,
or at the connection of the battery/atomizer portion 12 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir
portion 14. Figure 1 shows an inlet 38 provided between the battery/atomizer portion
12 and the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14. The number of air inlets may be
larger than one.
[0011] A battery 18, a light-emitting diode (LED) 20, control electronics 22 and optionally
an airflow sensor 24 are provided within the cylindrical hollow tube battery/atomizer
portion 12. The battery 18 is electrically connected to the control electronics 22,
which are electrically connected to the LED 20 and the airflow sensor 24. In this
e-cigarette the LED 20 is at the front end of the battery portion 12, adjacent to
the end cap 16 and the control electronics 22 and airflow sensor 24 are provided in
the central cavity at the other end of the battery 18 adjacent the atomizer 26.
[0012] The airflow sensor 24 acts as a puff detector, detecting a user puffing or sucking
on the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 of the e-cigarette 10. The airflow sensor
24 can be any suitable sensor for detecting changes in airflow or air pressure, such
as a microphone switch including a deformable membrane which is caused to move by
variations in air pressure. Alternatively the sensor may be a Hall element or an electromechanical
sensor.
[0013] The control electronics 22 are also connected to an atomizer 26. In the example shown,
the atomizer 26 includes a heating coil 28 which is wrapped around a wick 30 extending
along a central passage 32 of the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14. The heating
coil 28 is positioned anywhere in the atomizer 26 and in the embodiment presented
in figure 1 is transverse to the liquid reservoir 42. The wick 30 and heating coil
28 do not completely block passage 46, that is provided on either side of the heating
coil 28 enabling air to flow past the heating coil 28 and the wick 30. Rather, the
passage or air gap 46 is provided on either side of the heating coil 28 enabling air
to flow past the heating coil 28 and the wick 30. The atomizer 26 may alternatively
use other forms of heating elements, such as ceramic heaters, or fiber or mesh material
heaters that may not necessarily be disposed transverse to the liquid reservoir. Nonresistance
heating elements such as sonic, piezo and jet spray may also be used in the atomizer
in place of the heating coil.
[0014] The central passage 32 is surrounded by a liquid reservoir 42 with the ends of the
wick 30 abutting or extending into the liquid reservoir 42 in the central passage
32. The wick 30 may be a porous material such as a bundle of fiberglass fibers, with
liquid in the liquid reservoir 42 drawn by capillary action from the ends of the wick
30 towards the central portion of the wick 30 in contact with the heating coil 28.
[0015] The liquid reservoir 42 may alternatively include wadding soaked in liquid which
encircles the central passage 32 with the ends of the wick 30 abutting the wadding.
In other embodiments, the liquid reservoir 42 may comprise a toroidal cavity arranged
to be filled with liquid and with the ends of the wick 30 extending into the toroidal
cavity. In yet other embodiments, the liquid reservoir is sealed with a porous cap,
the cap coming into contact with a heating element or wick from a heating element.
In this case, the liquid reservoir and the mouthpiece have a cross sectional geometry
that allows air to pass over the liquid reservoir.
[0016] An air inhalation port 36 is provided at the back end of the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir
portion 14 remote from the end cap 16. The inhalation port 36 may be formed directly
into and from the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 or may be formed in an end
cap.
[0017] In use, a user sucks on the e-cigarette 10. This causes air to be drawn into the
e-cigarette 10 via one or more air inlets, such as air inlet 38, and to be drawn through
the passage 46. The air flow splits by 90 degrees when it arrives at the heating element
from where it travels to the outsides of the device to go around the liquid reservoir
towards the air inhalation port 36. The change in air pressure which arises is detected
by the airflow sensor 24, which generates an electrical signal that is passed to the
control electronics 22. In response to the signal, the control electronics 22 activate
the heating coil 28, which causes liquid present in the wick 30 to be vaporized creating
an aerosol (which may comprise gaseous and liquid components) within the passage 46.
As the user continues to suck on the e-cigarette 10, this aerosol is drawn through
the passage 46 and inhaled by the user. At the same time the control electronics 22
also activate the LED 20 causing the LED 20 to light up which is visible via the translucent
end cap 16 mimicking the appearance of a glowing ember at the end of a conventional
cigarette. Alternatively, the LED may be located below the snapping mechanism of the
mouthpiece/liquid reservoir 14 and battery/atomizer portion 12, rather than at the
end of the device, as shown in figure 1. When activated, the LED conveys to the user
that their device is working properly. As liquid present in the wick 30 is converted
into an aerosol more liquid is drawn into the wick 30 from the liquid reservoir 42
by capillary action and thus is available to be converted into an aerosol through
subsequent activation of the heating coil 28.
[0018] In the art, e-cigarettes are known that are intended to be disposable and the electric
power in the battery 18 is intended to be sufficient to vaporize the liquid contained
within the liquid reservoir 42, even after which the e-cigarette 10 is thrown away.
This is not the case with the e-cigarette of the present invention. In the e-cigarette
of the present invention, the battery 18 is rechargeable and the liquid reservoir
42 is refillable or exchangeable. The mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 of the
e-cigarette 10 is detachable from the battery/atomizer portion 12 and a new mouthpiece/liquid
reservoir portion 14 can be fitted with a new liquid reservoir 42 thereby replenishing
the supply of liquid. In some cases, replacing the liquid reservoir 42 involves the
replacement of the entire mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14, as it will be described
in more detail in this document. Further, the heating coil 28 and the wick 30 are
as well replaceable along with the replacement of the liquid reservoir 42.
[0019] The mouthpiece/liquid reservoir 14 contains the liquid reservoir 42 in the form of
a cartridge and has air passages 46 through which a user inhales aerosol. In other
embodiments, aerosol may flow around the exterior of the cartridge 42 to an air inhalation
port 36. The air passages 46 may alternatively be formed as a central passage around
which the liquid reservoir 42 is arranged.
[0020] Of course, in addition to the above description of the structure and function of
a typical e-cigarette 10, variations also exist. For example, the LED 20 may be omitted.
The airflow sensor 24 may be placed adjacent the end cap 16 rather than in the middle
of the e-cigarette. The airflow sensor 24 may be replaced with a switch which enables
a user to activate the e-cigarette manually rather than in response to the detection
of a change in air flow or air pressure.
[0021] Different types of atomizers may be used. Thus for example, the atomizer may have
a heating coil in a cavity in the interior of a porous body soaked in liquid. In this
design aerosol is generated by evaporating the liquid within the porous body either
by activation of the coil heating the porous body or alternatively by the heated air
passing over or through the porous body. Alternatively the atomizer may use a piezoelectric
atomizer to create an aerosol either in combination or in the absence of a heater.
[0022] In this document the terms "capsule", "capsule with liquid", "reservoir" and "liquid
reservoir" are used interchangeably and refer to a container including the liquid
that is subject to atomization or vaporization in the e-cigarette and is designated
in the appended drawings with numeral 42.
[0023] The control electronics 22 are connected to the atomizer 26. The atomizer 26 is disposed
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the e-cigarette 10, and includes a heating coil
28 which is wrapped around a wick 30 extending across a central passage 32 or cannula
section. The cannula section 32 is provided such that it comprises the wick 30 inside.
The cannula section 32 has a needle shaped tip 34 extending into the liquid reservoir
42. The mouthpiece/liquid reservoir section 14 is shaped to ergonomically fit the
mouth of a user and comprises a mouthpiece 48 that comprises a capsule constituting
the liquid reservoir 42. An attachment mechanism 44 secures the capsule 42 with liquid
in the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir section 14. One possible embodiment for the attachment
mechanism 44 is a latch element, the latch element provided with a through hole. A
through hole is easy to provide if the capsule 42 is made via injection molding, since
the injection molding tool would only need to have one movable element. An air inhalation
port 36 is provided in the mouthpiece 48. The mouthpiece 48 comprises a rigid outer
housing that includes the liquid reservoir 42.
[0024] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of a mouthpiece/liquid reservoir
portion 14 of the e-cigarette 10 in accordance with the present invention.
[0025] The mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 of the e-cigarette 10 illustrated in figure
2 comprises a mouthpiece 48, the mouthpiece 48 comprising a rigid outer housing. A
liquid reservoir 42 is included in the rigid outer housing of the mouthpiece 48. The
mouthpiece 48 is detachable from the atomizer/battery portion 12 of e-cigarette 10
and is shaped to ergonomically fit the mouth of a user. The mouthpiece/liquid reservoir
portion 14 of the e-cigarette 10 also has a central passage 32 or cannula section.
The cannula section 32 is provided such that it may accommodate inside the wick 30.
The cannula section 32 has a porous tip 34 extending into the liquid reservoir 42.
The mouthpiece/liquid reservoir section 14 is shaped to ergonomically fit the mouth
of a user and comprises a mouthpiece 48 that comprises a capsule constituting the
liquid reservoir 42. An attachment mechanism 44 secures the capsule 42 with liquid
in the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir section 14. One possible embodiment for the attachment
mechanism 44 is a latch element, the latch element provided with a through hole. An
air inhalation port 36 is provided in the mouthpiece 48.
[0026] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 of an
electronic smoking device 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] As mentioned earlier in this document, the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14
of e-cigarette 10 is detachable from the battery/atomizer portion 12 of e-cigarette
10. Visible in figure 3 is a mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 of the e-cigarette
10 that is detached from the battery/liquid reservoir portion 12 and is presented
in a cross-sectional view. The mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion 14 is an assembly
that comprises among others a capsule with a liquid reservoir 42 comprising a liquid
302, and a mouthpiece 48. Visible in figure 3 is as well the attachment mechanism
44 between the capsule with a liquid reservoir 42 and the mouthpiece 48 that in the
illustrated embodiment is a latch attachment mechanism comprising latch element provided
on the inner surface of the mouthpiece 48, that exemplarily may be shaped as a protrusion,
and a counter latch element, provided on the outer surface of the capsule, and that
may be exemplarily shaped as a recess channel, in particular as a through hole. Elements
of capsule 42 (not illustrated in the drawing) secure the capsule 42 in the mouthpiece
48.
[0028] A plurality of stabilizing leg(s) 304 disposed on the outer portion of the mouthpiece
are as well visible in figure 3.
[0029] An atomizer 26 with a sharp porous foil piercing protrusion 34, a porous cannula
section comprising a wick, a connection 306 at which the atomizer 26 is affixed to
mouthpiece 48, and a wick section heating coil 28 are as well visible in figure 3
as pertaining to the battery/atomizer portion 12 of the e-cigarette 10. The atomizer
26 comprised by the battery/atomizer portion 12 may also comprises a pair of grooves,
a pair of protrusions, contact elements, and counter contact elements (not illustrated
in the figure) for contacting the atomizer with the rest of the e-cigarette.
[0030] In one possible embodiment, the mouthpiece 48 may have a tilted surface 308 that
is tilted away from the air inhalation port 36 of the mouthpiece 48. The mouthpiece
48 is made of rigid material so the capsule with liquid 42 may be inserted and affixed
in the mouthpiece 48 by force fit, press fit, form fit or interference fit.
[0031] To facilitate the integration and the fit of the capsule with the liquid 42 in the
mouthpiece 48, each one of the capsule and the mouthpiece is provided with various
fit elements, situated on the surface of the capsule with liquid and on the inner
surface of the mouthpiece 48. As it will be described later in further detail in this
document, in accordance with the present invention the capsule may be provided with
a counter latch element affixed at one end of the capsule for fitting in a latch element
provided on the mouthpiece, and/or the capsule may be provided with a plurality of
wings disposed on its surface, and/or the capsule may be provided with grooves on
its surface in which elongated elements provided on the inner surface of the mouthpiece
are expected to be inserted, and/or the capsule may be provided with elongated protrusions
expected to fit in grooves on the inner surface of the mouthpiece. Also, in accordance
with the present invention the mouthpiece may be provided with a plurality of latches
expected to join in the plurality of counter latches provided on the capsule, and/or
grooves in which the wings provided on the surface of the capsule may fit, and/or
with elongated elements protruding from the inner surface of the mouthpiece that may
fit in the guide grooves provided in the capsule, and/or with elongated guide grooves
on the inner surface of the mouthpiece in which the wings or the elongated protrusions
of the capsule are expected to fit in. The latch elements are provided on the inner
surface of the mouthpiece 48, that exemplarily may be shaped as a protrusion, and
engage with a counter latch element, provided on the outer surface of the capsule
42, and that may be exemplarily shaped as a recess channel, in particular as a through
hole, and other elements of capsule 42 for securing the capsule 42 in the mouthpiece
48.
[0032] The capsule 42 with liquid has sealing foil at least at one of its extremities, so
it can be easily sealed during the production. The sealing foil needs to be penetrated
when a user wants to use the electronic cigarette, so the atomizer 26 comprises a
porous foil-piecing atomizer head 34 that, in one possible embodiment, is needle shaped,
and that extends into the capsule 42. Once the capsule foil is penetrated by the tip
34 a channel draws out the liquid from capsule 42 by capillary action via the channel,
that is part of the atomizer, and may be located inside the needle shaped tip 34.
The channel that acts as a wick may in one possible embodiment have a hammer like
shape. On the hammer head portion of the wick there is a heating coil 28 that is drawn
around the wick.
[0033] The atomizer 26 comprised by the battery/atomizer portion 12 comprises a portion
comprising among others a pair of grooves, a pair of protrusions, contact elements,
and counter-contact elements that form a bayonet connection between the atomizer and
the rest of the electronic cigarette 10. The grooves open away from each other; the
contact elements may be provided for connecting the heating coil to a battery and
the grooves are provided to be able to rotate the atomizer when installing it into
the electronic smoking device via the bayonet connection.
[0034] The capsule 42 with liquid is provided either with wings, latches, grooves or elongated
protrusions for enabling the capsule to be fitted in the mouthpiece 48. The wings
(not shown in the drawing) are provided on the capsule 42 for guiding the capsule
42 when inserted in the mouthpiece 48 and can be used for providing an interference
fit between the capsule 42 and the mouthpiece 48. The wings serve for guiding and/or
securing the capsule 42 in the mouthpiece 48. Alternatively, the capsule 42 is secured
in a form fit in the mouthpiece 48 via a latch connection provided via counter latches
that anchor in guide latches or latch elements provided on the inner surface of mouthpiece
48.
[0035] The liquid in capsule 42 is atomized or vaporized and the resulting aerosol flows
from the atomizer along the capsule 42 towards the inhalation port 36 of the mouthpiece
48. The wings, latches or protrusions on the surface of the capsule 42 provide not
only for guiding and/or securing the capsule in the mouthpiece but define as well
the space necessary around the capsule 42 for the aerosol to flow towards the air
inhalation port 36 of the mouthpiece 48.
[0036] The capsule 42 is a container with an extraction end having an opening closed by
a foil, and a latch end opposite to the extraction end, the latch end comprising the
counter latch element. Counter latch element engages a latch element of the mouthpiece
48, to form a form fit between the liquid reservoir 42 and the rigid outer housing
of the mouthpiece 48. The counter latch element is formed as a through hole that extends
perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the mouthpiece, the longitudinal direction
extending from an extraction end of the mouthpiece to the latch end. In figure 3 the
arrows indicate the airflow direction.
[0037] As illustrated at least in figures 1 to 3 discussed above, the electronic smoking
device 10 of the present invention comprises a mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion
14 comprising a mouthpiece 48, the mouthpiece 48 comprising a rigid outer housing,
and a liquid reservoir 42, an atomizer/battery portion 12 comprising a battery 18,
and an atomizer 26 operable when connected to the battery 18 to atomize liquid stored
in the liquid reservoir 42, the rigid outer housing including the liquid reservoir
42, and the mouthpiece 48 is detachable from the atomizer/battery portion 12. The
rigid outer housing and the liquid reservoir 42 are formed separate from each other,
and the liquid reservoir 42 is affixed to the rigid outer housing.
[0038] Figures 4 to 7 illustrate various views of a capsule with liquid 42 in accordance
with the present invention. Specifically, figure 4 illustrates the capsule in accordance
with the present invention in a top view, figure 5 illustrates the capsule in accordance
with the present invention in a cross-sectional side view, figure 6 illustrates the
capsule of the present invention in a side view, and figure 7 illustrates the capsule
of the present invention in front view.
[0039] As it may be seen in figure 4, the capsule 42 comprises guide grooves 402 that facilitate
the attachment of capsule 42 while the capsule is inserted into the rigid outer housing
of the mouthpiece 48. The guide grooves 402 are capable of receiving elongated elements
protruding from the inner surface of the mouthpiece 48 and guide the elements while
the capsule 42 is inserted in the mouthpiece 48. Although in figure 4 only two of
guide grooves 402 are visible, the number of the guide grooves may be more than two,
as it will be shown in figure 7. The guide grooves 402 interact with the elongated
guide protrusions or guide elements present on the inner surface of the rigid housing
for guiding the movement of the capsule 42 while the capsule 42 is inserted into the
rigid outer housing of the mouthpiece 48, and for securing the capsule 42 in the mouthpiece
48 to form a capsule/mouthpiece assembly 14.
[0040] As it may be seen in figure 5, the capsule 42 may not only comprise guide grooves
402 but may comprise as well counter element(s) 404 that protrude from an outer lateral
side of the liquid reservoir or capsule 42, and the height of the counter guide element(s)
404 decreases in the course of the counter guide element 404 in a direction parallel
with a longitudinal axis of the capsule, towards the air inhalation port. This particular
geometry of the counter element(s) 404 may be as well observed in figure 6 that illustrates
the capsule of the present invention in a side view. The elongated counter elements
404 fit in grooves provided on the inner surface of the mouthpiece 48 to provide for
a fit between the capsule 42 and the mouthpiece 48 in the mouthpiece/liquid reservoir
assembly 14.
[0041] Figure 7 illustrates the capsule of the present invention in front view. As it may
be seen in the figure, capsule 42 is provided with multiple guide grooves 402. In
the embodiment illustrated in the figure the capsule is provided with four guide grooves
402 and is not provided with any other elements such as wings or elongated counter
elements. The guide grooves 402 interact with guide protrusions present on the interior
surface of the mouthpiece 48 to permit the capsule 42 to be interaction fitted in
the mouthpiece 48.
[0042] Although not illustrated in the above described figures, in another embodiment of
the present invention the capsule 42 exhibits instead of grooves 402 or counter elements
404 a plurality of wings for enabling the capsule to be fitted in the mouthpiece 48.
The wings (not shown in the drawings) are provided on the capsule 42 for guiding the
capsule 42 when inserted in the mouthpiece 48 and can be used for providing an interference
fit between the capsule 42 and the mouthpiece 48. The wings serve for guiding and/or
securing the capsule 42 in the mouthpiece 48. Alternatively, the capsule 42 is secured
in a form fit in the mouthpiece 42 via a latch connection provided via latches that
anchor in guide grooves provided on the inner surface of the mouthpiece 48.
[0043] Features of the capsule that are not shown in the figures 4 to 7 are a container
section with an extraction end having an opening closed by a foil, and a latch end
opposite to the extraction end, the latch end comprising a counter latch element.
[0044] Figures 8 to 11 illustrate various view of a mouthpiece 48 in accordance with the
present invention. Specifically, figure 8 shows a top view of a mouthpiece in accordance
with the present invention, figure 9 shows a side view of a mouthpiece in accordance
with the present invention, figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece,
and figure 11 shows a front view of a mouthpiece in accordance with the present invention.
[0045] The mouthpiece illustrated in figures 8 to 11, and described in detail in the following,
is configured in a manner that allows the liquid reservoir 42 to be affixed to the
rigid outer housing comprised by the mouthpiece by either one of force fit, press
fit or form fit. As it will be described in the following, in one embodiment of the
present invention, the form fit between liquid reservoir 42 and the rigid outer housing
of the mouthpiece 48 is provided by a latch connection 502, 504 between the liquid
reservoir 42 and the housing 48. The counter latch element(s) 504 of the capsule 42,
is formed as a through hole that extends perpendicular to a longitudinal direction
of the mouthpiece 48, the longitudinal direction extending from the extraction end
to the latch end of the capsule. The rigid outer housing of capsule 48 comprises a
latch element 502 counter to the counter latch element 504, the latch element 502
being arranged at a longitudinal end of an inner lateral side of the housing, the
inner lateral side facing a receiving volume of the liquid reservoir. The number of
latch elements 502 comprised by the capsule is not limited to one and in one embodiment
of the present invention, the rigid outer housing comprises two latch elements 502
protruding towards each other from opposite sections of the inner lateral side. The
rigid outer housing comprises a guide element 1202 for guiding the movement of the
liquid reservoir 42 while the liquid reservoir is inserted into the rigid outer housing,
and the liquid reservoir 42 comprises a counter guide element 404 for interacting
with the guide element 1202 of the mouthpiece. The number of guide elements 1202 is
not limited to one and in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
the rigid outer housing comprises two guide elements 1202 or more guide elements.
Further, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the mouthpiece
48 comprises a guide groove (not illustrated in the figures) extending between the
guide elements for receiving the counter guide elements of the capsule at least section-wise,
the guide groove opening into and along the receiving volume. The counter element
protrudes from an outer lateral side of the liquid reservoir, and its height decreases
in the course of the counter guide element. The guide grooves of the mouthpiece are
also capable of receiving the wings situated on the surface of the capsule.
[0046] Referring specifically to the embodiments of the invention that are shown in figures
8 to 11, figure 8 is a top view of a mouthpiece 48 that is formed of a rigid outer
housing. Figure 9 that illustrates the mouthpiece 48 in side view illustrates again
the rigid outer housing 1102 of the mouthpiece that has an inclined front face 308.
The inclined front face is tilted from the mouthpiece 48 and ensures that a user may
place the mouthpiece only in one direction on the electronic smoking device 10. As
such a secure way is provided for attaching the mouthpiece in only one direction.
In figure 9 it may be observed that on the outer surface of the mouthpiece a plurality
of stabilizing leg(s) 304 are provided that are shaped as protrusions and that ensure
that the electronic cigarette does not roll away when placed on a surface. Figure
10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece 48. A pair of latch elements
502 may be observed in the figure, the latch elements 502 being shaped as protrusions.
They engage the latch channel or the counter latch elements 504 of the capsule 42
shaped exemplarily as through holes. A pair of guide elements 1202 may as well be
observed in the figure.
[0047] Figure 11 illustrates a front view of the mouthpiece 48. Visible in the figure are
the guiding elements 1202, a pair of which is situated on each side of the mouthpiece
and pairs of latch protrusions 504 situated further away from each other than the
guiding elements 1202. Stabilizing legs 304 may as well be observed in figure 11.
[0048] Figure 12 illustrates a mouthpiece 48 in accordance with the present invention and
a capsule 42 with counter element(s) 404 that protrude from an outer lateral side
of the liquid reservoir or capsule 42. The height of the counter guide element(s)
404 decreases in the course of the counter guide element 404 in a direction parallel
with a longitudinal axis of the capsule, towards the air inhalation port. This particular
geometry of the counter element(s) 404 may be as well observed in figure 6 that illustrates
the capsule of the present invention in a side view. The capsule 42 is inserted in
the mouthpiece 48 in the direction A along a longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece 48
to form a mouthpiece-capsule assembly, the capsule being integrated in the mouthpiece.
[0049] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate cross-section and full-body perspective views of the
mouthpiece/liquid reservoir 14 of an electronic smoking device 10 in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention. A bayonet connection 1301 between the atomizer
26 and the rest of the electronic smoking device 10 is visible as well in these figures.
[0050] Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a front view into the mouthpiece 48 with inserted capsule
42 forming a mouthpiece-capsule assembly. As it may be observed in these figures the
assembly comprising the capsule 42 integrated in the mouthpiece 48 comprises an air
gap 46 or a passage between the capsule 42 and the mouthpiece 48 for atomized liquid
extending through the mouthpiece 48, gap 46 that is situated between the rigid outer
housing of the mouthpiece and the capsule 42. As it is evidenced in figure 16 the
capsule 42 is inserted in the mouthpiece 48 forming an integration fit employing the
guide grooves 404 of the capsule 42 countering the guide elements 1202 of the mouthpiece
48.
[0051] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid reservoir of
the present invention comprises a front face, situated at an end denominated the extraction
end, and a diameter of the liquid reservoir decreases away from the front face. The
outer lateral side of the liquid reservoir is tapered with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the liquid reservoir. These features may be shared by the liquid reservoirs
mentioned in this document, irrespective of the embodiment of the invention that is
discussed. The front face of the liquid reservoir comprises an annular protrusion
encircling a longitudinal axis of the liquid reservoir, the annular protrusion protruding
from the front face along the liquid reservoir.
[0052] To summarize, in accordance with the present invention an electronic smoking device
comprises a mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion and an atomizer/battery portion. The
mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion comprises a mouthpiece, mouthpiece comprising
a rigid outer housing, and a liquid reservoir. The atomizer/battery portion comprises
a battery, and an atomizer operable when connected to the battery to atomize liquid
stored in the liquid reservoir. The rigid outer housing includes the liquid reservoir,
and the mouthpiece is detachable from the atomizer/battery portion.
[0053] The rigid outer housing and the liquid reservoir are formed separate from each other,
and the liquid reservoir is affixed to the rigid outer housing. The liquid reservoir
is affixed to the rigid outer housing by one of a force fit, a press fit, a form fit
or interference fit. The form fit between the liquid reservoir and the rigid outer
housing is provided by a latch connection between the reservoir and the rigid housing.
The liquid reservoir comprises a container section with an extraction end having an
opening closed by a foil, and a latch end opposite to the extraction end, the latch
end comprising a counter latch element. The counter latch element is formed as a through
hole that extends perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the mouthpiece, the
longitudinal direction extending from the extraction end to the latch end.
The rigid outer housing of the mouthpiece comprises a latch element counter to the
counter latch element of the liquid reservoir, the latch element is arranged at a
longitudinal end of an inner lateral side of the housing, and the inner lateral side
faces a receiving volume of the liquid reservoir. The rigid outer housing comprises
two latch elements protruding towards each other from opposite sections of the inner
lateral side. The rigid outer housing comprises a guide element for guiding the movement
of the liquid reservoir while the liquid reservoir is inserted into the rigid outer
housing. The liquid reservoir comprises a counter guide element for interacting with
the guide element. The rigid outer housing comprises two guide elements, and a guide
groove extending between the two guide elements for receiving the counter guide element
of the liquid reservoir at least section-wise. The guide groove opens into and along
a receiving volume of the mouthpiece. The counter element protrudes from an outer
lateral side of the liquid reservoir, and a height of the counter guide element decreases
in the course of the counter guide element. A front face of the liquid reservoir comprises
an annular protrusion encircling a longitudinal axis of the liquid reservoir, the
annular protrusion protruding from the front face along the liquid reservoir
[0054] A mouthpiece for an electronic smoking device in accordance with the present invention
comprises a rigid outer housing, and a liquid reservoir inside the rigid outer housing.
A liquid reservoir for an electronic smoking device in accordance with the present
invention is integrated inside a rigid outer housing of a mouthpiece comprised by
the electronic smoking device.
[0055] In case the user wishes to exchange the capsule, since the liquid capsule and the
mouthpiece are integrated in an assembly, and the dimensions of the assembly are larger
than the dimensions of the capsule alone, the exchange of the capsule mouthpiece assembly
is much easier for the user. Further, the mouthpiece no longer needs to be removed
first to exchange the capsule, and the user may dispose of both of them together,
in the event that the user wishes to exchange the capsule.
[0056] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered
to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the
appended claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0057]
- 10
- electronic smoking device or e-cigarette
- 12
- battery/atomizer portion
- 14
- mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion
- 16
- end cap
- 18
- battery
- 20
- light-emitting diode (LED)
- 22
- control electronics
- 24
- airflow sensor
- 26
- atomizer
- 28
- heating coil
- 30
- wick
- 32
- central passage or cannula section
- 34
- needle shaped tip
- 36
- air inhalation port
- 38
- air inlet(s)
- 42
- liquid reservoir or capsule or capsule with liquid
- 304
- plurality of stabilizing leg(s)
- 306
- connection
- 308
- tilted surface of mouthpiece
- 402
- guide grooves
- 404
- counter guide element
- 502
- latch element(s)
- 504
- counter latch element(s)
- 1102
- rigid outer housing of the mouthpiece
- 1202
- guide element
- 1301
- bayonet connection
1. Electronic smoking device (10), comprising:
a mouthpiece/liquid reservoir portion (14) comprising
a mouthpiece (48), said mouthpiece (48) comprising a rigid outer housing, and
a liquid reservoir (42),
an atomizer/battery portion (12) comprising
a battery (18), and
an atomizer (26) operable when connected to the battery (18) to atomize liquid stored
in the liquid reservoir (42),
wherein said rigid outer housing including the liquid reservoir (42), and
wherein said mouthpiece (48) being detachable from said atomizer/battery portion (12).
2. The electronic smoking device (10) of claim 1,
wherein the rigid outer housing and the liquid reservoir (42) are formed separate
from each other, and wherein the liquid reservoir (42) is affixed to the rigid outer
housing.
3. The electronic smoking device (10) of claim 2,
wherein the liquid reservoir (42) is affixed to the rigid outer housing by one of
a force fit, a press fit, a form fit or an interference fit.
4. The electronic smoking device (10) of claim 3,
wherein said form fit between said liquid reservoir (42) and said rigid outer housing
is provided by a latch connection (502, 504) between said reservoir (42) and said
housing.
5. The electronic smoking device (10) of any of claims 1 to 4, the liquid reservoir (42)
comprising a container section with an extraction end having an opening closed by
a foil, and
a latch end opposite to the extraction end, the latch end comprising a counter latch
element (504).
6. The electronic smoking device (10) of claim 5,
wherein the counter latch element (504) is formed as a through hole that extends perpendicular
to a longitudinal direction of the mouthpiece (48), the longitudinal direction extending
from the extraction end to the latch end.
7. The electronic smoking device (10) of any one of claims 4 to 6,
wherein the rigid outer housing comprises a latch element (502) counter to the counter
latch element (504) of the liquid reservoir (42),
wherein the latch element (502) is arranged at a longitudinal end of an inner lateral
side of the housing, the inner lateral side facing a receiving volume of said liquid
reservoir (42).
8. The electronic smoking device (10) of claim 7, wherein the rigid outer housing comprising
two latch elements (502) protruding towards each other from opposite sections of the
inner lateral side.
9. The electronic smoking device (10) of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rigid outer
housing comprising a guide element (1202) for guiding the movement of the liquid reservoir
(42) while the liquid reservoir (42) is inserted into the rigid outer housing.
10. The electronic smoking device (10) of claim 9, wherein the liquid reservoir (42) comprising
a counter guide element (404) for interacting with the guide element (1202).
11. The electronic smoking device (10) of claim 10,
wherein the rigid outer housing comprises two guide elements, and a guide groove extends
between the two guide elements for receiving the counter guide element of the liquid
reservoir at least section-wise, wherein the guide groove opens into and along a receiving
volume of the mouthpiece (48).
12. The electronic smoking device (10) of claim 10,
wherein the counter element (404) protrudes from an outer lateral side of the liquid
reservoir (42), and wherein a height of the counter guide element (404) decreases
in the course of the counter guide element (404).
13. The electronic smoking device (10) of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein a front face
of the liquid reservoir (42) comprising an annular protrusion encircling a longitudinal
axis of the liquid reservoir (42), said annular protrusion protruding from the front
face along the liquid reservoir (42).